“Cryptocurrency has been in the sights of the payments industry for more than a decade, but it still only just making its way into mainstream commerce.  One reason is volatility — the value of cryptocurrency is often driven by untamed speculation…This is where stablecoins come into play.  Stablecoins are designed to have a value that is fixed because they are pegged to other assets, such as the US dollar or gold.”

“The market for Electric Vehicles (EV) has grown exponentially in recent years. Building on this momentum, the U.S. government promised $5 Billion in federal funds over five years to create a nationwide network of EV charging stations. The U.S. Payments Forum today announces the launch of its Electric Vehicle (EV) Open Payments Working Committee in response to these developments. The new Working Committee aims to facilitate seamless and intuitive payment experiences for consumers across EV charging stations. The overarching goal is to accelerate the adoption of EV, EV technology innovations and successful charging networks that utilize open payments. Open payments can be defined as the acceptance of all open loop payment devices such as cards, mobile wallets and wearables, as well as all payment methods including credit, debit, prepaid and gift cards.”

“Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services offer flexible payment terms at a time when many of us are facing rapid inflation in the cost of living — and while there may be short-term relief, there are also long-term consequences to consider.  BNPL offerings are now plastered across thousands of e-retailer websites, including clothing stores, beauty and makeup vendors, home products, technology stores, DIY, toy manufacturers, and even grocery shops, with partner brands including popular vendors such as Samsung, PrettyLittleThing, and ASOS.”